Deterioration of Iran-America Relationship

International relations with the United States are on a decline. There is a strong resistance to every American involvement in countries around the globe. Iraq is having problems maintaining a stable government. Korea is putting on a hard core stance with the nuclear weapons issue. The chaos in Afghanistan continues to rage on. The US government is right in the middle of it all. If there is one place in the world where complications are poised to happen, it is in the Middle East region. Two nations who are forever at odds with America’s major ally are making things difficult for all nearby countries to attain peace and order.

Israel is wary of the Arab policies within the area. Syria and Iran are challenging the American government’s policies in controlling the situation in the region. It cannot be denied but there is a decline in America’s influence among Arab nations. “Widespread anti-Americanism has made it harder for governments in the region to cooperate with Washington or to allow U. S. forces on their soil” (Takeyh, 2007). Although most have established a friendly relationship with the world’s superpower, the United States has a lot of work to do in sending its message across the entire region.

If there is one nation that has been vocal about its concern in the Arab perimeter, it is the Islamic Republic of Iran. The Iranian government made the headlines recently when it challenged the United Nations intervention in neutralizing its nuclear program. Instead of allowing inspectors to check on its nuclear capability, Iran shut down the entry door. The move didn’t surprise the White House but it inspires neighboring countries to stand up and protect its vital interests. The U. S. government is facing a daunting and difficult task in dismantling the nuclear program of the Iranian nation.

Talks are on going. But the relationship between the two countries continues to deteriorate. Government panels are back on the negotiation table. The world is preempting another confrontation which is very much similar to the Iraqi and Afghan encounters. Danger may be lurking ahead but the Americans and the Iranians are still bargaining on the nuclear inspection issue. Iran is ruling out the possibility of a major conflict with the U. S. But if its stance on American policies is to be analyzed, the Islamic nation is well on its way to heating up the volatile situation.

The conservatives in Iran are bent on resisting the intervention of the U. S. government. It keeps on ignoring the directives of the United Nations with regards to the nuclear program. There is an air of arrogance in the confidence being displayed by the Iranians. FRIENDLY HISTORY It is ironic and interesting to know that years back, the United States has been helping Iran in its war with the Iraqis. The Cold War with the fallen Soviet Union is the major event in world affairs. “Iran has oil and it borders the former Soviet Union.

These were two excellent reasons for the interest that Britain and the U. S. had in Iranian affairs since World War II” (Bill, 1988). The American military has been supplying the Iranians with armaments and firepower which are necessary to win the war against the U. S. S. R. -backed Iraqi forces. U. S. Intelligence manipulation manages to install the Shah into power. With Western support, the Iranian government set loose its strict Islamic policy for the democratic ideas of the United States. Almost overnight, Iran is living with the standards of the open and liberated world.

As late as September 28, 1978, several months before one of the major revolutions of the twentieth century, the U. S. Defense Intelligence Agency reported that the shah “is expected to remain actively in power over the next ten years” (Bill, 1988). The Islamic ideals in Iran still prevails when the radical parties overthrew the Shah years later and restored the traditional way of life. When the U. S. -backed transition rule has been driven out from power, American influence immediately disappears. DIFFERENCES IN POLICY The influence of the Ayatollah on Iranians is just overwhelming.

Hardliners manage to instill in the minds of its people to protect the Islamic tradition and heritage. The ongoing conflict between the United States and Iran is a cultural clash. It must be told that the Middle East is not ready for a sudden change in its political climate. The door is still half-closed for this Islamic nation in dealing with the international scenery. Although the period of transition towards a Western style outlook is in the works, Iran and the rest of the Arab nations still embrace their cultural heritage.

The U. S. intervention in the problems of the Middle East region is an unwelcome one. “In the midst of the mess stands the Islamic Republic of Iran. Its regime has not only survived the U. S. onslaught but also managed to enhance Iran’s influence in the region. Iran now lies at the center of the Middle East’s major problems — from the civil wars unfolding in Iraq and Lebanon to the security challenge of the Persian Gulf — and it is hard to imagine any of them being resolved without Tehran’s cooperation” (Takeyh, 2007).

Like its neighbors, Iran is very much aware of its significant position in the oil industry. The strategic location of the Islamic nation caught the eye of the American government. With the Cold War raging during the 80s, U. S. military analysts see the emerging threat of a Soviet invasion with Iran as the pathway. The former U. S. S. R. is situated next to Iran. In protecting the Middle East from a communist takeover, American forces stretch its influence across the Persian Gulf. The U. S. presence is timely as the Iraq-Iran war will soon be underway.

Arms and supplies are carried into the region. In the end, the intervention in the Middle East only complicates the situation even more. All Middle East countries are wary of the American exploits in the region. The preservation of cultures and traditions is the foremost concern among the nations within the area. It is the heritage which the Muslims and the Arabs are very particular about. The introduction of Western behavior and lifestyles endangers the continuous existence of the identity of all Middle East nations. Islam manages to repel many colonizers over the years.

This is what Iran is trying to protect. The continued presence of the Americans in the region keeps many hardliners suspicious of the real motives of their visitors. Since oil is believed to be a major interest among Western investments, Islamic governments like Iran are convinced that the Americans are out to take away the resources of their countries. “Iran does not yield easily to the standard tools of Western political analysis” (Sick, 2006). With the United States present in most parts of the world, the theory becomes an accepted belief.